with Rome expressed their regard by sending her presents, and receiving the like civilities in return. She made herself very agreeable to her guests, by acquainting them with many particulars of her father Africanus, and of his manner of living. But what they most admired in her was, that she could speak of her sons without a sigh or a tear, and recount their actions and sufferings as if she had been giving an account of some ancient heroes. Some therefore imagined that age and the greatness of her misfortunes had deprived her of her understanding and sensibility. But those who were of that opinion seem rather to have wanted understanding themselves; since they know not how much a noble mind may, by a liberal education, be enabled to support itself against distress; and that though, in the pursuit of rectitude. Fortune may often defeat the purposes of Virtue, yet Virtue, in bearing affliction, can never lose her prerogative."
The whole life of Cornelia presents a beautiful character; and from the facts which have come down to us we may draw these inferences. First; Cornelia must have been educated in a very superior manner by her father. For in no other way can we account for her knowledge and love of literature; nor for the fact, that while yet young she was regarded as worthy of the most virtuous and noble men of Rome. Second; she must have been from the beginning, a woman of fixed principles and undaunted courage; for, in no other manner can we give a solution to her rejection of the King of Egypt, her unremitting care of her family, the high education of her sons, and the great influence she held over them. Third; she must have cultivated literature and the graces of conversation; for, how else could she have drawn around the fireside of a retired widow, the men of letters, and even the compliments of distant princes?
In her lifetime a statue was raised to her, with this inscription: Cornelia mater Gracchorum. She died about 230 years before Christ.
CORNELIA,
A daughter of Metallus Scipio, who married Pompey, after the death of her first husband, P. Crassus. She was an eminently virtuous woman, and followed Pompey in his flight to Egypt, after his defeat by Caesar at Pharsalia, B. C. 48; and saw him murdered on his landing. She attributed all his misfortunes to his connection with her.
CORNELIA,
Daughter of Cinna, and first wife of Julius Caesar. She became the mother of Julia, Pompey's wife, and was so beloved by her husband that he pronounced a funeral oration over her corpse.
CORTESI, GIOVANNA MARMOCCHINI,
A celebrated Florentine artist, was born in 1670, and instructed by Livio Mechus, and Pietro Dandini but, by order of the grand-duchess, she was afterwards taught to paint in miniature by Hippolito Galantini. In that style she became very eminent for her colouring, drawing, and the striking likenesses she produced. She usually worked in oil, but also painted equally well with crayons. She died in 1736.
